The Korean skincare routine explained

Our thirst for borrowing beauty tips from the Koreans shows no signs of slowing. With innovative technology harnessing ancient traditions, we too want in on the wacky hacks and 10-step skincare methods right now. But where to start?

Korean beauty and lifestyle blogger of Sorabelle.com, Vicky Lee, has the brains - she founded a software company in Silicon Valley - as well as the beauty. Her native knowledge of Korean skincare means she defies her 40 years and 4 children and luckily the skin-sider has shared her tips with us. Here she explains the 8 and 10-step beauty rituals (plus how to do it in 5 steps if you're busy) and her ultimate tips for ageing well. All hail.

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THE KOREAN MORNING ROUTINE

"It may sound extensive, but most Korean women use an 8 and 10-step skincare routine each and every day to help keep their skin looking healthy and beautiful" Vicky explains. "Although it's quite a bit of work compared to the average skincare regime, their effort does not go unnoticed – these women take pride in knowing they have some of the best skin in the world!" These are her key steps for morning:

First thing in the morning, cleanse your skin with only water, not cleanser. Water removes the few impurities that settle on the face during the night, and keeps skin hydrated, too.

Step 2: Toner

To balance the skin's pH levels, it's important to apply toner; otherwise the skin can become dry and dehydrated. Toner further helps to absorb the next products you apply.

Step 3: Essence

Essence is a hybrid between a toner and a serum. It works perfectly to hydrate the complexion, aiding cellular turnover for a youthful appearance.

Step 4: Ampoule

Similar to serums, ampoules actually comprise an even higher number of active ingredients to target specific skin care concerns. They're used for a finite amount of time as a booster when your skin badly needs the extra help.

Smooth a light eye cream across both the brow and socket bone moving from the inner to outer corner of the eye. Here, the skin is at its thinnest as there are no sebaceous glands to produce natural oils, so it's important to keep this area hydrated and protected all day long.

Step 7: Moisturiser

Next apply a soothing moisturiser in a light layer across the skin for long lasting all-day hydration.

Step 8: Sunscreen

Applying sunscreen shouldn't be reserved for the summer holidays. Protecting the skin on a daily basis from UV rays will avoid the development of dark spots, wrinkles and fine lines.

THE KOREAN WAY TO SIMPLIFY IT

"As a Korean woman and beauty expert, I can attest that our extensive routine is definitely worth trying out. After testing many different techniques and products over the years, I have found that this process has provided me with the most hydrated, healthy skin I could ever have hoped to achieve" Vicky explains. However, if you have a busy schedule like her, or if you are new to the idea of a Korean skincare routine, it can be a little intimidating. "This is why I have created a condensed version of the classic 10-step regime below, which saves time and still yields amazing results." Using the same techniques as above, try this simplified version:

THE KOREAN NIGHTTIME ROUTINE

Vicky says, "Korean skincare is all about layering. Toner, essence, serum, ampoule, moisturiser… 10 steps sound like a lot, but each one has its own important job to do to keep skin young, healthy, and glowing." This is her full routine for night:

Step 1: Oil-based cleanser

For the evening, select an oil based cleanser to start with as this will work to remove oil- based makeup and impurities from the skin.

Step 2: Double-cleansing

Following the oil cleanser, use a water-based cleanser to gently remove the oil residue and water-based impurities from the day.

Step 3: Exfoliate

Twice a week use a gentle enzyme or bead-based exfoliator to remove the dead skin cells that can make the complexion appear lack-lustre whilst blocking pores and preventing key product ingredient absorption

Step 4: Toner

In the same morning manner, next apply a toner to balance the skin's pH levels.

By applying this super charged serum at night, your skin will be able to absorb all the hydration it needs following a long day's work.…

Step 7: Serum

Following which the serum should then be worked into the specific areas of concern.

Step 8: Sheet mask

The sheet mask is a Korean beauty favourite – a cloth saturated with skin loving ingredients! Perfect for all skin types, everyone can benefit from these masks which deliver a deeply hydrating and anti-ageing treatment.

Step 9: Eye cream

Once the skin has absorbed the ingredients from the sheet mask, apply an eye cream to protect and hydrate the delicate eye area.

Step 10: Moisturiser

Lastly, select a night time moisturiser to keep those skin loving ingredients locked in, allowing you to wake to a beautifully rejuvenated complexion.

VICKY'S 4 GOLDEN RULES:

Whether you employ the full 18-steps a day or not, try and remember Vicky's skin rules: to hydrate, exfoliate, never skip suncare and think holistic. She explains below -

1. Hydrate

"Hydration is the key to flawless, radiant skin. Layering hydrating products helps them better penetrate the skin, making them more effective. You will instantly see the results: plumper, younger-looking skin and a natural glow exuding from within. To keep hydrated, firstly only was your face with water. The reason being is because the natural oil generated by the skin has moisturising properties that play a vital role in keeping skin looking glowing and dewy. Secondly, keep a water-based mist spray in your bag - an easy way to make sure your skin stays well moisturised throughout the day. Thirdly, use a cushion foundation. Korean beauty experts invented cushion applicators in order to allow for extremely even and natural-looking coverage and because cushion foundations are very watery, they don't dehydrate your face, like traditional foundations can. Lastly, use a facial sheet mask to maximise hydration. Some Korean women even use more than one mask a day no matter how busy they may be!"

2. Exfoliate

"Korean women religiously scrub their bodies and faces. Koreans tend to go to saunas or take long baths before exfoliation in order to open the skin's pores and optimise results. It is also a common technique to peel away dead skin cells and impurities using exfoliating mitts. It is important to use both cold and warm towels in order to open or close the pores prior to exfoliation and product application."

3. Skincare means suncare

"Korean women know that appropriate protection against the sun is vital for great skin health. Putting an SPF of 50 or higher every three hours is common among Korean women, even when relaxing at home or on a rainy day. Some Korean car companies have even started to introduce windows with SPF for those who are very serious about sun protection!"

4. Eat and sleep well

"Korean women believe in a holistic approach to skincare, which is why healthy eating and proper sleep are considered to be just as important as the use of skincare products in their daily routines. We believe food is medicine, even when it comes to the skin, and if there is any skin trouble it can be treated by skincare products as well as food. For instance, in Korean culture, if you have a spot on your forehead it is said to mean that your heart has been overworked, and so Korean women will drink green tea or date tea, which are meant to improve heart health. We also value good sleep as much as we value skincare. It is a must to be in bed by 10pm, since 10pm to 2am is considered a 'golden time' for skin rest and revitalisation.

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